"The inherent problems of having elected officials involved in the newspaper business was on full display in Hoopa recently when Hoopa Valley Tribal Chairman Leonard Masten sent a memo to the Two Rivers Tribune editor informing her that the newspaper was to be shut down immediately. The memo cited financial issues and disagreement over controversial articles.

Masten said the tribe was losing money by subsidizing the paper but also pointed to recent articles focused on marijuana issues and an interview with Bruce “Jason” Stallings-Hunsucker, a man wanted for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of a well-respected Willow Creek resident.

While some of the stories in recent weeks may have been controversial, they were also a reflection of the issues before the community the paper serves. Shutting down a newspaper isn't going to make drug use or crime go away. It's just going to allow those issues to return to the shadows.

The Two Rivers Tribune serves a vital role in its community. It has a duty to shed light on the concerns and troubles, triumphs and tribulations of its readers. That's what it has been doing. That's what it needs to be able to continue to do."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Hoopa paper deserves support (The Asheville Citizen-Times 7/10)

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Hoopa Valley chairman pushes tribal paper to address concerns (7/6)
Opinion: Hoopa Valley Tribe threatens freedom of speech rights (7/6)